Buffalo, NY – Today, Wednesday, September 9, 2009, New York State Senator Antoine M. Thompson (D-Parts of Erie & Niagara Counties) presented a check to Mayor Brown and the City of Buffalo for $400,000. The check presentation took place at 88 Davidson Street in Buffalo at 11:00 am.

“This funding will help to improve the public safety of residents and continue to rebuild neighborhoods,” stated Senator Antoine M. Thompson.

This funding was secured by Senator Thompson in the 2009 Capital Budget.The funding provides aid to Mayor Brown’s demolition strategy for 5,000 properties in five years.Vacant land will be land banked for residential redevelopment.

One of the structures that will be demolished with the funding that Senator Thompson has secured for demolition is 88 Davidson.The average demolition costs between $10,000 and $20,000 taking asbestos, contamination and other issues into consideration.88 Davidson will be taken down by Metro Contracting.The asbestos removal is estimated at $3,600 and the demolition amounts to $10,400 bringing the total costof demolition to $14,000.